?*?' 


MODERN  MOTORING 


OR 


THE  AGE  OF  GASOLINE 


BY 
ALFRED  ARMSTRONG  CROCKER 


CINCINNATI,  O.,  U.  S.  A. 

THE  EBBERT  &  RICHARDSON  CO. 

1912 


Copyright,  1912 


INDEX 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I— Technical  Points  of  the  Motor,  5 

II— Gasoline 27 

III — Driving  as  a  Profession 36 

VI — Driving 44 

V— Popularity  of  the  Motor 69 


MODERN  MOTORING,  OR 
THE  AGE  OF  GASOLINE 

CHAPTER  I. 

TECHNICAL  POINTS  OP  THE 
MOTOR. 

In  presenting  the  motor  car 
subject  it  is  a  question  whether 
to  present  the  technical  side  first, 
then  the  popularity  side,  or  vice 
versa.  It  can  readily  be  noticed 
by  the  adept  from  what  point  of 
view  or  combined  points  the  nov- 
ice approaches  the  game.  HOM^ 
ever,  there  is  a  technical  side,  in 
fact,  a  very  technical  side,  to  the 
subject,  and  it  is  my  aim  and  in- 
tention to  make  plain  the  salient 
points  of  same,  so  that  the  reader 
will  have  full  knowledge  both 

[5] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

theoretically  as  well  as  after- 
ward practically.  There  are  so 
many  who  are  really  interested 
in  the  sport,  who  notice  the  wheels 
go  round  and  catch  the  image  of 
the  limousine  and  touring  car, 
who  feel  unacquainted  with  the 
principles  which  actuate  the 
motor,  that  they  are  drawn  with 
curiosity,  then  with  absorbing  in- 
terest to  a  knowledge  of  the  mys- 
tery. 

These  technical  points  are  sim- 
ple yet  necessary,  and  with  no  ex- 
tra amount  of  application  may  be 
readily  understood  and  aptly  ap- 
plied by  the  public  in  general. 
Motoring  is  already  as  widely 
diffused  as  to  knowledge  as  is 
music,  and  possibly  if  it  keeps  up 
its  rapid  pace  will  be  as  popularly 
understood  as  horsemanship  and 
possibly  more  so. 

[6] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

The  abstruse  technical  points 
of  the  motor  and  chassis  (chassis 
means  running  gear  and  engine, 
in  other  words,  auto  in  the  nude) , 
are  adequately  treated  of  in  spe- 
cial books  on  the  subject.  See 
"The  Gasoline  Automobile,"  Al- 
bert L.  Clough;  "The  Horseless 
Age;"  "Self-Propelled  Vehicles," 
James  E.  Homans,  A.  M.,  Theo. 
Audel  &  Co.;  "The  Operation, 
Care  and  Repair  of  Automobiles." 
These  books  are  purely  technical 
and  are  of  great  value  to  the 
motorist,  being  devoted  to  the  al- 
gebra of  motoring. 

The  four-cylinder  engine  of 
about  30  H.  P.  is  the  standard 
engine  of  manufacture  and  use. 
There  is  no  lapping  of  the  power 
impulses  in  the  four-cylinder 
type,  but  each  cylinder  takes  up 
the  power  stroke  with  such  con- 

[7] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

stant  and  uniform  continuity  that 
the  torque  is  practically  constant. 
By  this  I  mean  that  the  power 
stroke  in  one  cylinder  starts  as 
soon  as  the  power  stroke  in  one  of 
the  other  cylinders  ends.  The 
four-cylinder  engine  is  the  me- 
dium of  all  the  various  merits 
and  demerits  of  construction  and 
does  the  work.  They  may  event- 
ually put  in  a  six  where  they  for- 
merly supplied  a  four,  but  all 
users  of  the  four  will  remember 
its  many  advantages. 

The  phases  through  which  each 
cylinder  passes  are :  intake,  com- 
pression, power,  exhaust.  On  the 
intake  stroke  downward  the  in- 
take valve  is  open  and  at  near 
lower  dead  center  it  closes  and 
the  piston  coming  up  compresses 
the  gasoline  mixture  drawn  in 
from  the  carburetor  on  the  intake 

[8] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

stroke.  At  the  top  dead  center  at 
end  of  compression  stroke  (a 
little  before  in  fast  running  under 
load)  the  gas  is  fired  by  the  igni- 
tion apparatus  through  the  spark 
plug  and  the  power  stroke  ensues, 
the  piston  passing  downward 
under  impulse  of  the  expanding 
gases  to  lower  dead  center  again. 
Then  follows  the  exhaust  stroke, 
the  piston  coming  up  with  the  ex- 
haust valve  open.  Near  top  dead 
center  it  closes  and  immediately 
the  intake  stroke  follows.  Dur- 
ing compression  and  power 
strokes  both  intake  and  exhaust 
valves  are  closed.  These  cycles 
and  phases  of  the  engine  follow 
in  quick  succession.  In  a  four- 
cylinder  engine  each  of  the  four 
cylinders  is  placed  on  one  of  these 
four  phases  so  that  each  cylinder 
represents  at  any  time  some  one 

[9] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

of  the  above  phases,  and  the  whole 
engine  always  has  one  cylinder  on 
the  power,  one  on  the  intake,  one 
on  the  compression,  and  one  on  the 
exhaust.  This  accounts  for  the 
four  cylinders  being  the  most  used. 
The  actuating  influences  to  the 
metal  parts  of  the  engine  (which, 
as  everyone  knows,  consists  of  pis- 
tons and  cylinders  with  crank- 
shaft) are  the  ignition  apparatus 
supplying  the  electric  current, 
the  carburetor  supplying  the  mix- 
ture of  air  and  gasoline,  the  oiling 
system  providing  the  lubrication, 
and  the  water  system  maintain- 
ing the  cooling  processes  to  the 
cylinder  walls.  The  magneto  of 
the  ignition  system  provides  the 
current  to  spark  the  mixture  pro- 
duced by  the  carburetor,  and  the 
water  system  keeps  down  the  tem- 
perature of  the  engine  within 

[10] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

working  limits,  while  the  lubri- 
cating system  does  the  same 
through  eliminating  friction  and 
producing  easy  running.  So 
these  four  actuating  influences 
provide  the  electricity,  gasoline 
mixture,  water  and  lubricating 
oil  for  the  engine. 

The  ignition  apparatus  is  com- 
posed of  spark  plugs  with  dash 
coil,  magneto  and  storage  battery. 
The  early  cars  did  not  have  a 
magneto,  and  the  motorist  of 
those  early  days  was  somewhat 
in  the  same  position  as  the  driver 
of  an  electric  car  is  today.  The 
auto  would  run  as  long  as  the  bat- 
tery lasted.  The  magneto  has 
shifted  the  distance  to  the  size  of 
the  gasoline  tank.  The  magneto 
is  constant  and  will  spark  the 
gasoline  mixture  as  long  as  there 
is  gasoline  to  supply  the  mixture. 

[ii] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

Therefore  at  present  it  is  the 
gasoline  capacity  of  the  car  that 
determines  how  far  the  car  can 
be  run  and  not  the  battery  capac- 
ity. The  battery  now  supplied  on 
cars  is  used  only  for  starting  the 
ignition,  and  as  soon  as  the  en- 
gine starts  the  current  is  switched 
so  that  the  magneto  current  does 
the  work  and  the  battery  is  saved. 

The  timer  is  a  rotating  switch 
which  constantly  turns  the  cur- 
rent into  the  spark  plug  on  the 
proper  cylinder  which  is  to  be  on 
the  power  stroke.  The  timer  is  so 
timed  as  to  producing  the  spark 
in  the  spark  plug  that  it  produces 
the  ignition  spark  at  the  very  in- 
stant the  piston  is  ready  to  make 
the  power  stroke. 

The  coil  box  contains  the  coils 
which  are  electrically  necessary 
for  the  production  of  large  sparks 

[12] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

between  the  points  of  the  spark 
plug. 

The  magneto  is  a  current  gen- 
erator. It  is  somewhat  similar 
to  a  dynamo  of  small  dimensions. 
The  difference  between  a  magneto 
and  a  dynamo,  although  the  de- 
livered current  is  the  same,  is  that 
the  field  current  is  differently 
produced.  A  dynamo  has  a  shunt 
or  direct-series  current-induced 
magnetic  field.  The  magneto  has 
a  permanent  magnetic  field,  pro- 
duced by  permanent  magnets. 
With  the  magneto  came  the  per- 
manency of  the  auto  and  it  passed 
from  the  toylike  apparatus  de- 
pending upon  the  caprices  of  a  set 
of  dry  cells,  connected  in  series,  to 
a  wonderful  concentration  of 
automatic  power. 

Electrically  speaking,  the  bat- 
teries used  now  furnish  a  pri- 

[13] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

mary  interrupted  current;  the 
secondary  current  obtained  by  in- 
duction is  the  ignition  current. 
The  automobile  books  speak  of 
these  currents  as  low-tension  and 
high-tension  respectively.  The 
secondary  or  high-tension  cur- 
rent is  the  distributed  ignition 
current.  The  induction  takes 
place  in  the  coil  box  on  the 
dash. 

The  engine  governor  is  direct 
connected  to  the  throttle,  as  the 
gasoline  mixture  has  so  much 
more  to  do  with  speed  of  the  en- 
gine than  does  the  spark.  It  is 
left  to  the  driver  to  govern  the 
spark.  The  throttle,  however,  is 
entirely  governed  by  the  governor 
on  the  engine,  and  insures  uni- 
form operation  and  conforms  the 
engine  activity  to  the  work  auto- 
matically. 

[14] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

The  batteries  for  the  ignition 
system  should  be  storage  batter- 
ies of  60  to  80  ampere  hours. 
These  batteries  cost  the  factory 
more  to  install  than  to  supply  dry 
cells.  The  storage  battery  costs 
the  owner  less  to  recharge  than 
to  buy  new  dry  cells.  The  re- 
charge of  a  storage  battery  costs 
fifty  cents,  while  the  replacement 
of  six  dry  cells  is  one  dollar  and 
fifty  cents.  The  storage  lasts 
longer  than  the  dry  cells  and  is 
more  constant. 

The  carburetor  is  the  device  in 
which  the  liquid  gasoline  is  vapor- 
ized, mixed  with  sufficient  air  to 
form  an  explosive  mixture,  and 
from  which  this  mixture  is  drawn 
or  sucked  by  the  intake  stroke  of 
the  engine.  The  amount  of  mix- 
ture drawn  in  is  governed  by  the 
throttle.  The  throttle  valve  is  just 

[15] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

above  the  mixing  chamber  of  the 
carburetor  and  has  foot-connec- 
tion lever,  also  driving-wheel 
lever.  There  are  three  salient 
parts  to  a  carburetor,  viz. :  float- 
feed,  mixing  chamber,  and  auxil- 
iary air  valve.  The  mixing  cham- 
ber is  where  the  gasoline  and  air 
meet  to  be  mixed.  The  auxiliary 
air  valve  is  governed  by  lever  on 
dash,  so  that  proper  results  can 
be  obtained  under  all  conditions 
of  the  atmosphere.  The  valve  is 
made  to  open  less  when  the  atmos- 
phere is  cold  and  damp  and  made 
to  open  more  when  the  atmos- 
phere is  warm  and  dry.  These 
changes  in  the  atmosphere  would 
very  materially  change  the  re- 
sults obtained  in  the  engine  if  it 
were  not  for  this  ready  adjust- 
ment of  the  carburetor  to  the  re- 
quirements of  the  mix.  There  are 

[16] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

two  methods  in  vogue  as  to  car- 
buretion:  variable  amount  of 
gasoline  and  constant  amount  of 
air;  variable  amount  of  air  and 
constant  amount  of  gasoline.  In 
one,  with  the  primer,  you  prime 
the  gasoline.  In  the  other,  with 
the  auxiliary  valve,  you  prime  the 
air.  To  increase  the  gasoline  is 
equivalent  to  lessening  the 
amount  of  air;  both  enrich  the 
mixture. 

The  water  system  consists  of 
the  radiator,  the  driven  water 
pump,  and  water  jackets  around 
the  cylinders.  The  system  will 
hold  about  five  gallons  of  water 
and  the  pump  keeps  the  water  in 
circulation,  drawing  it  from  the 
bottom  of  the  radiator,  forcing  it 
through  the  water  jackets  and 
thence  to  top  of  radiator.  The 
water  is  cooled  in  the  radiator. 

[17] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

One  can  perceptibly  notice  the 
difference  in  temperature  be- 
tween the  top  and  bottom  of 
radiator  by  placing  the  hand  on 
same.  The  pump  consists  of  three 
or  four  paddles  moving  with  spi- 
ral effect  in  an  inclosed  space,  thus 
forcing  the  water  between  each 
paddle  forward.  The  thermo- 
syphon  or  gravity  plan  is  used 
on  some  cars,  but  is  not  positive 
in  results.  This  method  does  not 
have  a  pump  to  keep  the  water  in 
circulation.  It  is  important  that 
the  radiator  be  kept  filled  with 
water.  In  the  winter  time  anti- 
freezing  solutions  are  used  in  cold 
climates,  but  it  is  hardly  neces- 
sary in  the  climate  in  the  vicinity 
of  Cincinnati.  When  the  engine 
is  perfectly  cold  and  has  not  run 
for  a  time,  or  when  there  is  no 
heat  in  the  engine  from  its  being 

[18] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

run,  it  will  stand  32°  Fahrenheit; 
when  the  engine  is  running,  it 
will  stand  10°  to  20°  below  zero 
without  anti-freezing  mixture ; 
so  that  if  the  garage  is  warm 
enough  to  keep  the  car  at  32°  or 
above,  and  the  temperature  out- 
side not  lower  than  10°  to  20°  be- 
low zero,  an  anti-freezing  mix- 
ture is  unnecessary.  Common 
salt  dissolved  in  the  water  before 
running  it  into  the  radiator  will 
make  an  anti-freezing  mixture; 
10%  alcohol  and  90%  water  will 
make  another.  Some  of  the  for- 
mulas have  glycerine  in  them. 
Plain  water  is  a  very  good  mix- 
ture and  when  used  within  the 
limit  of  temperatures  above 
stated  does  not  freeze  while  the 
engine  is  running. 

The  oiling  system  is  important 
and  should  consist  of  splash  with 

[19] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

draw-off  levelers  and  automatic 
pump  with  sight-feeds.  The 
splash  is  produced  by  a  level  of 
oil  in  the  crank-case  into  which 
the  crank-shaft  dips  or  splashes. 
While  the  splash  alone  will  take 
care  of  an  engine,  the  average 
engine  needs  renewal  of  oil  to  re- 
place the  small  amount  constantly 
consumed.  This  consumption  of 
oil  from  the  crank-case  is  replaced 
by  the  automatic  pump  from  an 
oil  supply.  The  oil  should  not  be 
allowed  to  get  above  the  stop- 
faucet  levelers.  The  automatic 
pump  can  be  relied  on  not  to  let 
it  get  below  the  proper  level.  Too 
much  oil  in  the  crank-case  pro- 
duces a  smoky  exhaust.  Many 
cities  have  passed  ordinances  not 
permitting  autos  to  smoke.  It 
can  easily  be  prevented  by  draw- 
ing off  the  excess  of  oil  in  the 

[20] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

crank-case.  Some  of  the  old-style 
cars  have  extensive  sight-feed  ap- 
paratus on  the  dash,  but  much 
simpler  systems  are  now  used 
which  are  less  complicated  and 
equally,  if  not  more,  efficient.  The 
oiling  system  can  do  its  part — the 
balance  rests  with  the  oil.  Use  a 
good  quality. 

The  dry  multiple-disk  clutch  is 
the  only  clutch  now  used  and  is 
practically  perfection.  It  drops 
the  engine  instantly  when  opened 
and  permits  easy  shifts ;  also  al- 
lows the  intermediate  limb  be- 
tween clutch  and  gears  to  come 
promptly  to  rest,  thus  permitting 
engagement  of  gears  without 
growling. 

There  are  three  general  types 
of  the  Seldon  motor — I,  L,  and  T. 
The  T  motor  has  inlet  valves  on 
one  side  and  outlet  valves  on  the 

[21] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

other  side.  The  L  motor  has  both 
inlet  and  outlet  valves  on  the  same 
side.  The  I  motor  has  both  inlet 
and  outlet  valves  directly  in  top 
of  cylinder.  The  T  form  of  en- 
gine is  most  used.  Some  of  the 
foreign  cars  and  a  few  American 
cars  use  the  L  type.  The  I  type 
is  moderately  used.  The  Knight 
and  Mead  engines  are  two  types 
of  valveless  engines  and  have  in- 
teresting features  worthy  of  no- 
tice. The  Knight  motor  has  auto- 
matic opening  apertures  with- 
out springs.  There  is  no  snap  of 
a  spring  in  closing.  It  permits  of 
noiseless  results  with  less  minute 
manufacture  of  small  parts  than 
does  the  I,  T,  or  L  spring  type. 
These  latter,  however,  now  called 
"poppets,"  when  accurately  made 
and  adjusted,  make  an  equally 

[22] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

noiseless  engine.    The  Mead  has 
rotary  valves. 

The  diagnosis  of  an  engine 
trouble  is  particularly  interest- 
ing and  gives  opportunities  for 
analysis.  So  many  engine  dis- 
turbances manifest  themselves  in 
the  clutch  that  at  first  one  natur- 
ally thinks  that  the  clutch  is  out 
of  order.  However,  one  after- 
ward finds  out  that  the  trouble  is 
in  the  ignition  apparatus  or  car- 
buretor. Following  is  a  short  list 
of  some  of  the  common  engine 
faults  and  hints  as  to  their  diag- 
nosis. 

LACK  OF  POWER. 

Ignition  weak,  current  jump- 
ing through  possible  crack  in 
spark  plug  porcelain.  Spark 
plugs  sooted. 

[23] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

ENGINE  STOPS. 

Exhaust  valve  not  closing  tight. 
Magneto  circuit  breaker  worn. 
Gasoline  poor  quality.  Out  of 
gasoline.  Magneto  circuit  break- 
er not  working.  Magneto  circuit 
grounded.  Mixture  too  rich.  Too 
much  air  in  the  mixture.  Igni- 
tion ground  wire  broken. 

ENGINE  RUNS  AFTER  IGNITION 
TURNED  OFF. 

Cylinders  overheated.  Water 
system  out  of  order.  Spark  has 
been  retarded  while  running. 

KNOCKING  IN  ENGINE. 

Cylinders  overheated.  Spark 
too  far  advanced,  going  slow. 
Running  too  slow  in  high  for 
power  required.  Connecting  rod 
loose.  Water  system  short  of 

[24] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

water.    Spark  too  far  retarded, 
going  fast. 

SKIPPING  OR  CATCHING  IN 
THE  CLUTCH. 

Ignition  skipping  in  one  cylin- 
der at  least.  Spark  plug  sooted. 
Porcelain  cracked.  Magneto 
needs  adjusting.  Mixture  too 
rich.  Mixture  too  weak.  Igni- 
tion weak.  Valves  need  grinding. 
Timer  slipped  on  rotary  axis. 
Valves  out  of  time.  One  cylinder 
getting  more  oil  than  it  should. 
Piston  rings  worn.  Oil  level  in 
crank-case  too  high.  Water  in 
the  gasoline. 

SMOKING  EXHAUST. 

Too  much  oil  in  crank-case 
(blue  smoke).  Mixture  too  rich 
(black  smoke). 

[25] 


Modern  Motoring 

BACK-FIRE  INTO  CARBURETOR. 

Ignition  too  weak.  Battery 
weak.  Mixture  too  rich.  Engine 
overheated.  Water  system  short 
of  water. 


[26] 


CHAPTER  II. 


GASOLINE. 

Gasoline  is  now  produced  in 
greater  quantities  than  ever  be- 
fore, and  threatens  to  surpass  the 
beverage,  beer,  in  yearly  produc- 
tion. 

Gasoline  is  a  limpid,  colorless 
liquid  of  specific  gravity  72°  to 
68°  Baume,  which  corresponds  to 
.695  to  .709  standard  specific 
gravity.  It  is  distilled  from  crude 
petroleum  oil  and  is  only  one 
of  the  many  products  recovered 
from  the  crude  oil.  When  gaso- 
line is  the  object  of  the  distillation 
the  other  products  are  called  by- 
products. As  used  in  motor  cars, 

[27] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

the  gasoline  goes  into  the  mixing 
chamber  of  the  carburetor  from 
the  float-feed  drop  by  drop,  and 
is  instantly  vaporized  by  the 
warmth  of  the  walls  of  the  mix- 
ing chamber,  which  are  in  most 
cars  hot- water  jacketed,  and  is 
there  mixed  with  air  drawn  in  by 
the  intake  stroke  of  the  piston. 
It  is  thus  evident  that  the  higher 
the  grade  of  gasoline  used  the 
easier  and  with  less  uncertainty 
this  vaporization  and  mixing  with 
air  takes  place.  The  temperature 
of  the  incoming  air  has  also  con- 
siderable to  do  with  the  facility 
with  which  this  mixture  takes 
place,  grade  of  gasoline  being  the 
same.  A  higher  grade  of  oil  used 
in  cold  weather  gives  better  re- 
sults than  continuing  on  the  me- 
dium grade  same  as  used  in  warm 
weather.  A  higher  grade  of  oil 

[28] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

makes  up  for  a  colder  atmosphere 
and  a  warmer  atmosphere  makes 
up  or  compensates  for  a  lower 
grade  of  oil.  To  gauge  the  qual- 
ity of  gasoline  so  as  to  be  sure  you 
are  using  the  grade  you  intend, 
take  a  Baume  gasoline  hydrom- 
eter and  thermometer.  Take  a 
reading  from  the  hydrometer 
scale  and  thermometer  scale  after 
allowing  the  instrument  to  float 
in  a  sample  drawn  off  from  the 
gasoline  tank.  The  temperature 
correction  is  two  degrees  Baume 
for  every  ten  degrees  Fahrenheit. 
If  the  temperature  of  the  sample 
is  above  sixty  degrees  Fahren- 
heit, deduct  the  correction  of  two 
degrees  Baume.  If  the  tempera- 
ture of  the  sample  is  below  the 
sixty  degrees  Fahrenheit,  add  the 
correction  of  two  degrees  Baume. 
This  correction  for  temperature 

[29] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

is  two  degrees  Baume  for  every 
ten  degrees  of  temperature;  as 
above  stated,  this  means  that  if 
the  temperature  difference  from 
sixty  degrees  Fahrenheit  is  five 
degrees  the  correction  is  one  de- 
gree Baume.  The  reason  for  the 
addition  or  subtraction  to  the 
hydrometer  reading  for  tempera- 
ture of  reading  is  that  the  Baume 
scale  is  calculated  for  gasoline  at 
sixty  degrees  Fahrenheit.  Tem- 
perature above  sixty  rarefies,  so 
deduct  the  correction;  and  tem- 
perature below  sixty  condenses, 
so  add  the  correction.  This  state- 
ment would  be  just  reversed  if  we 
were  considering  specific  gravity 
according  to  the  standard  decimal 
system  with  water  as  one  and  not 
using  Baume.  The  following 
table  will  elucidate  further  this 
problem. 

[30] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

BAUME'S  DEGREES  SPECIFIC  GRAVITY 

64 724 

65 720 

66 717 

67 713 

68 709 

69 706 

70 702 

71 699 

72 .695 

73 692 

74 689 

75 685 

76 682 

Increase  of  temperature  makes 
less  dense — lessens  specific  grav- 
ity—  increases  Baume  degrees. 
It  will  be  noticed  that  .702  specific 
gravity  is  equivalent  to  70  Baume, 
but  when  we  speak  of  70-degree 
gasoline  70  Baume  is  meant. 
Considerable  confusion  is  expe- 
rienced about  the  specific  gravity 
of  gasoline  until  the  above  table 

[31] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

is  comprehended.  As  Baume 
scale  runs  up,  the  lighter  the 
liquid;  as  the  standard  specific 
gravity  runs  down,  the  lighter  the 
liquid.  It  is  interesting  to  be 
able  to  make  your  own  tests.  It 
adds  to  the  interest  one  can  take 
when  surveying  the  running  of 
the  garage. 

Gasoline  should  be  properly 
stored.  The  Bowser  tanks  and 
pumps  are  indispensable.  They 
are  better  than  insurance.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  gasoline 
should  be  very  carefully  handled. 
Its  only  use  about  a  car  should  be 
to  run  it.  Its  use  as  a  cleanser 
should  be  avoided.  Glycerine 
soap  will  do  that  class  of  work. 

The  gasoline  tank  on  a  car  is 
generally  under  the  front  seat, 
although  some  cars  have  them 
elsewhere.  Water  in  gasoline 

[32] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

(being  heavier  than  gasoline) 
will  settle  in  globules  to  the  bot- 
tom, and  for  this  reason  a  pocket 
is  made  in  bottom  of  tank,  under 
which  a  draw-off  valve  is  placed, 
so  that  the  gasoline  can  be  cut  off 
and  the  pocket  drained  of  what- 
ever water  has  accumulated  there. 
This  feature  of  the  gasoline 
should  be  carefully  watched. 

Before  explaining  the  progress 
of  the  gasoline  vapor  or  mixture, 
as  it  is  called,  going  motorward, 
let  us  describe  how  the  gasoline 
is  carried  on  the  car.  I  have 
stated  that  the  tank  is  generally 
under  the  front  seat  and  this  is 
the  most  satisfactory  point  from 
which  to  conduct  it  by  gravity  to 
the  carburetor  float-feed.  A  con- 
stant flow  can  be  maintained  to 
the  curburetor  at  all  inclinations 
of  the  car,  whether  up  or  down 

[33] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

hill.  This  method  obviates  air 
pressure,  together  with  its  attend- 
ant difficulties,  and  makes  un- 
necessary the  automatic  pressure 
readjuster  from  by-pass  of  the 
exhaust.  The  simpler  method  is 
by  far  the  better. 

From  the  carburetor  the  mix- 
ture goes  to  the  cylinders  and  is 
exploded  on  the  power  strokes, 
thence  to  the  muffler  on  the  ex- 
haust, then  into  the  air.  Muffler 
cut-outs  are  put  on  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  the  free  exhaust  into 
air.  The  muffler  is  some  opposi- 
tion to  exhaust  and  reduces  the 
power  to  a  slight  extent,  but  the 
disagreeable  noise  of  direct  ex- 
haust is  more  of  a  disadvantage 
than  the  advantage  of  the  power 
gained  thereby.  Power  gained 
through  deafening  noise  is  less 
consideration  than  quiet,  though 

[34] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

less  power.  The  gain  in  power 
does  not  compensate  for  the  loss 
of  silence. 

The  grade  of  gasoline  mostly 
used  is  the  medium  grade  which 
sells  for  about  twelve  dollars  for 
one  hundred  gallons,  and  about 
sixty-eight  degrees  Baume.  This 
gasoline  will  run  in  all  degrees  of 
cold  and  heat.  If  the  carburetor 
is  not  hot- water  jacketed  (an- 
other point  of  economy  in  opera- 
tion) it  is  generally  necessary  to 
use  the  higher  grade,  seventy-two 
degree  Baume,  gasoline. 


[35] 


CHAPTER  III. 


DRIVING  AS  A  PROFESSION. 

The  motor  has  given  an  oppor- 
tunity to  a  large  number  of  men, 
not  only  as  manufacturers  of  all 
the  different  parts  connected  with 
the  production  of  a  car,  but  also 
work  for  men  to  care  for  and 
operate  them  after  they  are  in 
use  by  the  owners.  Our  everyday 
schooling  has  sufficient  mathe- 
matics and  other  exact  sciences 
in  the  curriculum  to  furnish  ade- 
quate basis  for  an  interest  in  the 
scientifically  constructed  auto- 
mobile. We  find  a  large  number 
of  people  attracted  to  this  interest 
because  it  is  exact  and  they  feel 
that  they  can  understand  it. 

[36] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

Many  people  who  do  not  intuitive- 
ly understand  horses  or  animals 
are  originally  capable  as  motor- 
ists and  are  resourceful  for  any 
emergency  which  the  motor  car 
presents.  Fine  driving  is  certain- 
ly appreciated.  It  has  quality  the 
same  as  piano-playing  or  horse- 
manship. 

Care  of  the  car  after  the  day's 
work  is  important.  It  should  be 
washed  at  once  when  put  up  after 
being  out  in  rain  or  mud.  Run 
the  mud  off  with  water  before  it 
dries,  if  possible.  The  oil  should 
be  leveled  down  in  the  crank-case, 
water  kept  in  the  radiator,  and 
oil  in  the  oiler,  not  to  mention 
gasoline  in  the  gasoline  tank. 
These  may  run  low  without  your 
knowing  it. 

Workshops  in  the  garages  are 
becoming  unnecessary,  there  be- 

[37] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

ing  so  little  repairs  to  be  done  on 
a  good  car.  There  are  many  cars 
that  have  never  had  a  repair.  A 
garage  should  be  lighted  by  elec- 
tricity and  heated  by  steam  or 
hot- water  system ;  preferably  by 
system  extension  from  some  ad- 
jacent house  or  building,  so  that 
no  fire  is  in  the  garage.  A  gar- 
age should  have  a  gasoline  stor- 
age tank  and  pump  outfit;  also 
a  lubricating-oil  room.  There 
should  be  adequate  water  supply 
and  good  cement  drain  floor  to 
run  cars  on  for  washing  and  pol- 
ishing. There  should  be  a  large 
door,  or  two  doors,  for  the  cars 
to  go  through,  in  and  out.  The 
garage  should  be  near  the  house, 
in  rear,  and  should  be  under  di- 
rect supervision  of  the  owner.  It 
is  extremely  inconvenient  to  have 
the  garage  far  away.  Those  who 

[38] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

have  used  the  public  garage 
eventually  get  a  garage  of  their 
own,  as  they  can  give  the  cars  so 
much  more  of  their  personal  at- 
tention. The  owner  who  is  actu- 
ally interested  in  the  motor  is  as 
interested  in  it  when  it  is  stand- 
ing still  as  when  it  is  running  on 
the  road,  and  therefore  wants  his 
own  garage.  When  he  builds,  he 
places  the  garage  near  his  house, 
so  that  the  cars  will  be  conven- 
iently handy  at  all  times.  Dur- 
ing rainy  and  cold  weather  this 
convenience  is  greatly  appreciat- 
ed. One  of  the  best  additions  that 
could  be  made  to  the  already- well- 
planned  apartment  buildings  is  a 
garage  house  on  same  lot,  so  that 
apartment  tenants  could  house 
their  own  cars  in  private  garage. 
This  is  one  of  the  modern  de- 
mands due  to  the  motor  car. 

[39] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

Driving  as  a  profession  is  a 
good  class  of  work  and  calls  for 
superior  character  and  consider- 
able education. 

Driving  may  be  divided  into 
three  classes :  Suburban  driving, 
city  shopping,  touring ;  and  these 
each  again  into  two  classes,  de- 
pending on  the  weather,  either 
fair-weather  driving  or  rainy  and 
snowy-weather  driving.  There 
is  some  work  attached  to  both,  but 
more  to  the  rainy-weather.  Pro- 
fessional driving  should  be  based 
on  a  technical  knowledge  of  the 
subject,  such  as  afforded  by  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  Automobile  School. 
As  its  diploma  means  proficiency 
in  the  theory  and  practice  of  the 
art,  its  value  as  to  obtaining  a 
position  is  recognized. 

There  are  only  three  ways  to 
learn  how  to  drive.  First,  buy  a 

[40] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

car  and  be  taught  on  your  own  car 
by  the  motor  car  company  expert 
who  sells  the  car.  Second,  to  find 
someone  who  has  a  car  and  who 
will,  after  finding  out  that  you 
understand  the  theory  of  the  car, 
permit  you  to  drive  or  show  you 
how.  This  form  of  learning  is  of 
two  kinds,  the  owner  who  teaches 
you  on  his  car  may  be  your  social 
friend  and  be  interested  in  your 
progress  as  a  driver,  or  he  may  be 
your  prospective  employer  and 
be  interested  in  your  learning  to 
drive  so  that  he  can  eventually 
employ  you  as  his  driver.  The 
third  method  of  learning  is  to  at- 
tend the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Automobile 
School,  which  maintains  a  school 
of  theory  and  practice  in  an  up- 
to-date  garage.  The  laboratory 
work  ranges  all  the  way  from 

[41] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

washing  the  cars  to  adjusting 
mechanism,  diagnosing  faults, 
and  making  repairs. 

All  chauffeurs  are  required  by 
law  to  register  each  year  by  ap- 
plication to  the  Secretary  of 
State  and  to  send  in  a  fee  of  two 
dollars.  They  receive  therefore 
a  badge  which  they  wear  so  that 
they  can  easily  show  it  if  neces- 
sary should  any  question  as  to 
their  right  to  drive  a  car  arise. 
Chauffeurs  are  required  to  wear 
the  badges  which  are  issued  by 
the  Department  of  State  Auto- 
mobile Department.  Badges  are 
not  transferable.  In  addition  to 
the  badge,  owners  must  give 
chauffeurs  written  authority  to 
drive  their  cars,  which  police  can 
demand  if  necessary. 

The  chauffeur  feels  proud  of  his 
position  and,  when  accomplished, 

[42] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

he  is  in  line  for  all  sorts  of  tour- 
ing down  east  and  abroad.  After 
one  year  of  driving  in  all  the  dif- 
ferent seasons  and  circumstances 
which  arise  in  traffic  and  country 
runs,  one  is  a  much  better  man- 
ager of  a  car  and  feels  much  more 
competent  than  at  the  beginning 
of  the  experience. 

A  great  deal  of  skill  can  be  dis- 
played in  auto  driving.  The  car 
can  do  a  great  deal,  but  it  needs  a 
performer  to  show  others  what  it 
can  do.  It  is  like  a  fine  piano 
which  alone  can  not  give  to  an 
audience  the  symphony  that  it 
contains.  Likewise  with  the 
motor  car,  it  takes  a  skilled  per- 
former to  develop  its  perfection 
of  locomotion. 


[43] 


CHAPTER  IV. 


DRIVING. 

Driving  by  the  spark  is  a  fine 
point  to  which,  at  the  start,  one 
pays  little  attention,  but  to  which 
later  one  can  apply  study  and 
learn  to  bring  out  the  maximum 
power  of  the  engine,  thus  carry- 
ing out  the  designs  of  the  manu- 
facturer as  to  how  the  car  should 
be  used  engine-wise. 

For  starting,  retard  the  spark; 
for  idle  running  where  full  power 
is  not  needed,  medium  spark ;  for 
full-running  developing  power 
use  full  advanced  spark.  These 
are  the  general  rules.  Engine 
control  is  one  of  the  fine  points  of 
driving  and  distinguishes  the  nov- 

[44] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

ice  and  mechanical  driver  from 
the  expert  and  mental  driver. 
The  continuity  of  motion  and  the 
smoothness  of  shift,  if  any  is  nec- 
essary, are  only  possible  by  en- 
gine control.  When  the  spark  is 
retarded  it  is  of  advantage  in 
starting  by  the  crank,  as  it  is  then 
impossible  for  the  engine  to  kick 
back.  Failure  to  retard  the  spark 
for  starting  is  to  invite  a  kick. 
For  power  development,  however, 
the  distance  through  which  the 
explosion  on  the  piston  can  oper- 
ate due  to  retarded  spark  is  too 
short,  so  that  the  spark  must  be 
advanced  for  power.  This  is  syn- 
onymous with  raising  the  point 
at  which  the  spark  is  produced. 
The  maximum  point,  of  course,  is 
top  dead  center.  Any  engine  will 
knock  if  the  spark  is  too  far  ad- 
vanced under  power  development 

[45] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

for  the  speed  of  the  motor.  The 
remedy  is  to  retard  same  until  the 
knock  subsides.  A  knock  is  rec- 
ognized by  a  sharp  metallic  click 
in  new  cars,  in  older  cars  it  is 
more  of  a  thud  or  heavy  sound  or 
pound.  It  is  not  a  dangerous 
symptom,  but  merely  an  indica- 
tion to  the  driver  to  either  change 
gears  or  retard  the  spark.  The 
change-spark  lever  is  generally  on 
the  left  of  the  steering  wheel  and 
is  operated  by  the  thumb  of  the 
left  hand.  Some  drivers  get  in 
the  habit  of  negotiating  a  slowing 
up  by  opening  up  the  clutch,  put- 
ting on  the  brake  and  allowing 
the  engine  to  run  on.  But  the  bet- 
ter and  more  scientific  method  is 
to  close  throttle,  advance  spark, 
then  retard  spark  and  use  run- 
ning foot-brake.  When  engine  is 
thus  brought  down  to  slower  run- 

[46] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

ning  the  opening  up  of  clutch  does 
not  race  the  engine  at  all. 

The  clutch  is  a  very  important 
element  in  driving  and  although, 
at  first  when  beginning  to  drive, 
one  does  not  realize  how  much  can 
be  overcome  by  the  proper  use  of 
the  clutch,  it  afterwards  becomes 
the  means  of  successfully  negoti- 
ating all  the  slippery  pavements 
and  abrupt  turns  with  no  skid- 
ding, without  chains.  Opening 
the  clutch  on  a  bump  in  the  road 
saves  the  communication  of  the 
jar  to  the  engine.  Chains  are  es- 
sential and  necessary,  but  can  be 
dispensed  with  except  on  ice  and 
snow.  It  is  best  to  have  them, 
however;  they  are  a  safeguard 
and  a  preventative.  Do  not  allow 
the  chains  to  remain  on  if  the  car 
is  to  stand  a  long  time  in  the  gar- 
age. The  cross  chains  wear  the 

[47] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

rubber  at  the  places  where  the 
continued  pressure  on  the  floor  is 
maintained. 

The  public  have  a  misconcep- 
tion of  the  gears  on  a  car.  It  is 
so  often  that  "high  gear"  has  been 
used  synonymous  with  "high 
speed,"  especially  in  yellow  jour- 
nalism. In  everyday  parlance  the 
two  expressions  mean  the  same. 
The  fact  of  the  matter  is  that 
most  all  the  slow  driving,  as  well 
as  all  the  fast  driving,  is  done  in 
the  high  gear.  The  manufac- 
turer has  spent  considerable  time 
and  money  adapting  the  auto  en- 
gine to  the  auto  carriage  so  that 
the  automobile  could  be  driven 
slow  in  high  gear.  This  feature 
is  especially  desired  to  eliminate 
gear  shifting.  The  high  gear  is  a 
gear  or  direct  drive  of  the  engine 
which  gives  the  engine  the  fewest 

[48] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

revolutions  to  one  revolution  of 
the  rear-driven  wheels.  Thus 
there  is  the  least  power  as  regards 
overcoming  the  inertia  of  the  car 
in  the  high  gear.  This  makes  it 
necessary  to  have  low,  interme- 
diate, and  high  (or  direct)  gears 
to  permit  the  car  to  negotiate  all 
conditions  of  travel  which  it  will 
encounter.  Invariably  start  the 
car  in  low  gear,  then  pass  to  in- 
termediate, then  to  high.  In  high 
you  can  slow  back  to  very  slow 
speed  and  remain  in  high.  How- 
ever, if  a  rapid  pick-up  is  neces- 
sary a  shift  to  intermediate  must 
be  made.  Make  it  an  invariable 
rule  to  always  go  into  interme- 
diate before  crossing  railroad 
tracks.  The  reason  for  this  is 
that  tracks  are  always  crossed 
slowly  and  if  in  high,  you  are  at 
the  disadvantage  of  shifting  to 

[49] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

intermediate  right  on  the  tracks 
if  a  train  is  coming  and  you  need 
to  drive  off  quickly.  The  nervous- 
ness of  such  shifts  has  caused  en- 
gines to  stall  and  accidents  to  hap- 
pen. Since  the  advent  of  the  self- 
starter  (a  device  to  crank  the  en- 
gine from  the  driving  seat,  by 
compressed  air,  sparked  acety- 
lene, or  auxiliary  electric  motor) , 
there  is  less  danger  of  serious  re- 
sults. Demonstrators'  talk  about 
what  a  car  will  do  in  high  does 
not  apply  to  crossing  railroad 
tracks.  One  is  supposed  to  exer- 
cise some  common  sense  and  not 
feel  mortified  if  the  car  will  not  do 
everything  on  the  high  gear.  The 
talk  about  high  gear  is  nonsense 
and  is  averse  to  an  intelligent  un- 
derstanding of  the  subject  by  the 
public,  and  greatly  influences  the 
novice  motorist  to  the  extent  that 

[50] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

he  sometimes  becomes  dissatis- 
fied with  the  car  that  will  not  do 
everything  on  earth  on  high.  Very 
serious  injury  can  be  done  to  a 
motor  if  the  knocking  (produced 
when  it  ought  to  be  in  interme- 
diate) is  not  avoided.  To  expect 
a  motor  to  start  on  high  gear  is 
like  hitching  a  race  horse  to  a 
heavily  loaded  wagon  and  expect- 
ing it  to  run  away  with  it.  The 
three  gears  ( or  four,  for  some  cars 
have  four)  are  unavoidable  and 
have  their  place,  and  necessary 
uses.  The  low  gear  allows  many 
revolutions  of  the  engine  to  one  of 
the  rear-driven  wheels.  This  pro- 
duces power  and  illustrates  the 
formula  for  horsepower  which 
is  power  through  distance  in  time. 
The  greater  the  distance,  other 
factors  in  the  equation  being  the 
same,  the  greater  the  horsepower 

[51] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

or  number  of  foot-pounds  per 
minute.  The  horsepower  is  33,- 
000  foot-pounds  per  minute.  This 
shows,  then,  that  as  the  revolu- 
tions of  the  engine  are  increased 
the  distance  through  which  the 
power  moves  per  minute  is  in- 
creased, consequently  the  horse- 
power of  the  engine  is  increased. 
It  is  by  the  gears  that  the  avail- 
able horsepower  of  the  engine  is 
consumed  in  power  to  overcome 
inertia  of  the  car  in  starting  or 
on  hills  or  liberated  into  speed  on 
the  level.  The  low  gear  delivers 
greater  horsepower  to  the  rear- 
driven  wheels  than  the  high  gear 
does,  revolutions  per  minute 
being  the  same.  The  power  of 
the  engine  is  directly  propor- 
tional to  the  number  of  its  revo- 
lutions. The  number  of  revolu- 
tions being  the  only  element  in 

[52] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

the  equation  of  power  that 
changes  value,  to  increase  the 
power  requires  to  increase  the 
speed;  therefore  shift  to  lower 
gear,  which  allows  the  engine 
more  revolutions  to  same  speed 
of  car  on  its  wheels.  A  car  going 
fast  in  high  develops  as  great  a 
power  in  its  engine  as  going  slow- 
er in  intermediate.  Some  cars, 
as  above  mentioned,  have  four 
speeds.  This  fourth  gear  brings 
the  car  into  the  racer  class,  to 
which  few  auto  owners  wish  to 
belong. 

The  tendency  has  been  toward 
lower-power  cars,  say  30  H.  P., 
and  attention  paid  to  flexibility 
and  ease  of  operation,  light  hand- 
ling, etc.  Some  cars,  while  quite 
attractive,  are  stiff  and  not  easily 
handled  in  driving.  The  main 
objection  to  six-cylinder  cars  has 

[53] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

been  that  they  are  too  long  and 
cumbersome  and  do  not  permit  of 
the  light  handling  of  smaller  four- 
cylinder  cars.  Some  six-cylinder 
cars,  however,  are  made  which 
are  quite  light  handling  consider- 
ing they  are  sixes. 

Flexibility  of  the  motor  is  due 
to  the  proper  proportion  of  com- 
bustion space  to  cylinder  displace- 
ment together  with  proper  timing 
of  the  operation  of  the  inlet  and 
exhaust  valves. 

In  starting  the  car,  retard  the 
spark,  open  up  the  throttle,  turn 
on  the  gasoline,  see  that  the  brake 
is  set,  and  the  gears  are  in  neu- 
tral ;  then  crank.  The  neglect  to 
retard  the  spark  causes  the  en- 
gine to  fire  on  a  cylinder  just  be- 
fore top  dead  center  is  reached  on 
a  compression  stroke  and  some- 
times starts  the  engine  backward. 

[54] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

This  of  course  happens  so  sudden- 
ly and  wrenches  the  hand  so  vio- 
lently that  a  broken  wrist  results. 
A  rule  much  advocated  is  to 
crank  with  the  left  hand  and 
only  pull  up.  To  make  it  easier 
to  crank  there  is  an  exhaust  re- 
lief, a  handled  rod,  which  oper- 
ates the  relief  cams.  These  hold 
the  exhaust  valves  partially  open 
during  cranking,  thus  making 
it  unnecessary  to  pull  a  compres- 
sion. 

In  case  the  batteries  are  very 
low  (run  down),  a  back-fire  will 
occur  when  cranking.  This  is  be- 
cause the  mixture  being  so  weakly 
sparked  burns  so  slowly  that  it  is 
still  burning  when  the  inlet  valve 
opens  on  the  intake  stroke.  To 
begin  with,  the  spark  is  retarded 
in  cranking;  this  sets  the  spark 
low  down  in  the  cylinder  and  the 

[55] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

power  stroke  is  almost  over  when 
the  gas  is  ignited.  The  current 
being  very  weak  the  ignition  is  in- 
complete and  the  mixture  burns 
slower  than  it  otherwise  would, 
and  is  not  finished  burning  by  end 
of  exhaust  stroke  which  follows 
the  power  stroke.  If  the  piston 
completely  filled  the  top  of  the 
cylinder  all  the  mixture  products 
of  combustion,  etc.,  would  be  ex- 
hausted by  the  time  the  piston 
reached  top  dead  center,  but  there 
is  a  space  above  top  dead  center 
known  as  the  combustion  space. 
In  this  space  there  always  re- 
mains the  volume  of  mixture  not 
expelled  on  the  exhaust.  In  the 
case  of  weak  ignition  the  gas  not 
exhausted  remains  in  the  combus- 
tion space  burning  and  when  the 
inlet  valve  opens  for  the  intake 
stroke,  which  follows  the  exhaust 

[56] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

stroke,  the  incoming  mixture  is 
immediately  fired  and  explodes 
back  into  the  carburetor.  There 
is  always  a  volume  of  gas  which 
is  not  expelled  from  the  combus- 
tion space,  but  ordinarily,  under 
proper  sparking,  the  combustion 
space,  after  the  exhaust  stroke,  is 
occupied  by  burnt  and  completely 
combusted  gas,  the  flame  of  com- 
bustion having  been  spent.  But 
when  the  ignition  is  weak  and  the 
gas  burns  slowly,  the  interval  to 
closing  of  exhaust  being  short- 
ened by  retarded  spark,  the  vol- 
ume in  the  combustion  space, 
after  exhaust  valve  closes,  is  still 
burning,  and  the  immediate  open- 
ing of  the  inlet  valve  affords  a 
combustible  pathway  to  the  car- 
buretor. If  the  float-feed  is  in 
any  way  flooding,  a  fire  will  fol- 
low. The  carburetor  fires,  how- 

[57] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

ever,  are  not  at  all  dangerous  un- 
less the  operator  loses  his  head, 
and  even  then  he  is  about  as  safe 
as  to  try  to  do  anything,  unless  he 
does  the  right  thing.  The  oper- 
ator should  turn  off  the  gasoline 
at  once  so  that  no  more  will  flow 
to  the  carburetor.  The  gasoline 
will  burn  until  all  the  gasoline, 
about  a  cupful  that  was  in  the 
float-feed,  is  gone,  when  the  fire 
will  stop. 

This  phenomenon  generally 
occurs  when  the  car  is  standing 
still.  A  back-fire  in  cranking  in- 
dicates weak  spark  from  weak 
battery.  Fire  never  occurs  un- 
less carburetor  is  overflooded. 
Of  the  two  methods  of  obtaining 
the  proper  mixture — either  prim- 
ing the  gasoline  or  priming  the 
air  —  the  foregoing  explanation 
points  to  the  latter  as  being  bet- 

[58] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

ter.  Constant  (non-primable) 
gasoline  and  variable  air  reduces 
the  chance  of  a  fire  in  the  carbu- 
retor to  practically  nothing.  In- 
asmuch as  travel  running  is  done 
on  magneto  ignition,  there  is 
slight  chance  for  back-fire  while 
running,  from  above  causes,  as 
magneto  ignition  does  not  get 
weak.  When  batteries  were  used 
for  road  running  and  became 
weak,  back-firing  occurred  while 
the  car  was  in  motion.  A  flooded 
carburetor  under  running  back- 
fire is  a  different  proposition. 
One  can  not  easily  reach  to  turn 
off  the  gasoline,  and  then  the 
flame  blows  back  to  the  wood- 
work. There  are  so  few  carbu- 
retor fires,  however,  that  one  hears 
very  little  of  them,  and  many  auto 
owners  know  nothing  about  them 
so  far  as  actual  experience  goes. 

[59] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

The  care  of  the  manufacturer  in 
properly  designing  the  carburet- 
or has  saved  them  the  necessity 
of  having  the  experience.  This 
feature  of  danger  has  entirely 
disappeared  in  the  present  ad- 
vanced form  of  construction. 

It  is  a  good  plan  to  use  high- 
grade  gasoline  for  a  few  months 
in  the  winter  time  for  best  engine 
results  and  performance,  as  with- 
out hot- water  jacket  (by-pass 
from  top  of  cylinder  water  jacket 
direct  through  mixing-chamber 
jacket  to  water-pump),  the  air 
coming  into  the  mixing  chamber 
is  too  cold  and  does  not  become 
sufficiently  warmed  nor  the  gaso- 
line sufficiently  vaporized  to  make 
a  good  mixture.  The  hot-water 
jacket  assists  vaporization  of  the 
gasoline  and  amounts  to  torching 
it  as  the  process  is  termed  in 

[60] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

gasoline  generators.  The  high 
grade  of  gasoline  makes  up  for 
the  discrepancy  of  heat,  as  it 
vaporizes  at  lower  temperature, 
thus  making  the  necessary  mix- 
ture under  less  perfect  conditions. 
Water  jacket  on  carburetor  is  a 
money-saver  to  the  motorist. 

Here  follow  extracts  from  the 
Ohio  laws  governing  automobiles : 

Instructions  to  Owners,  Chauf- 
feurs, Manufacturers,  and 
Dealers. 

Every  automobile  owner  in  this 
state,  shall  file  annually  with  the 
Secretary  of  State  for  each  motor 
vehicle  owned  or  acquired  an  ap- 
plication for  registration,  accom- 
panied by  a  fee  of  $5.00  for  each 
gasoline  and  steam  and  $3.00  for 
each  electric  motor  vehicle.  Two 

[61] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

number  plates  which  must  be 
conspicuously  displayed  on  front 
and  rear  of  motor  vehicle  are  fur- 
nished by  this  department  and 
are  sent  charges  prepaid.  These 
number  plates  must  be  attached 
parallel  to  the  axles  of  the  motor 
vehicle  and  must  be  kept  free 
from  dirt,  grease  or  other  sub- 
stance liable  to  impair  legibilty, 
and  must  not  swing. 

The  certificate  of  registration 
can  not  in  any  event  be  trans- 
ferred from  one  owner  to  another ; 
neither  can  number  plates  be 
transferred  from  one  motor  ve- 
hicle to  another.  One  of  the  ob- 
jects of  the  Automobile  Law  is  to 
insure  greater  safety  to  the  pub- 
lic by  fixing  more  definitely  the 
identity  and  responsibility  of  per- 
sons operating  such  motor  ve- 
hicles. 

[62] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

Owners  who  permit  their  num- 
ber plates  to  pass  into  the  hands 
of  other  persons  render  them- 
selves liable  to  be  made  defend- 
ants in  court  proceedings,  both 
civil  and  criminal.  In  prosecu- 
tions for  violations  of  the  speed 
law,  or  suits  for  damages,  the 
identity  of  the  party  is  frequently 
obtained  through  the  number 
plates  upon  the  offending  motor 
vehicle.  For  their  own  protection 
in  case  of  sale  or  transfer  owners 
should  remove  their  number 
plates  and  secure  cancellation  of 
their  registration. 

Only  number  plates  furnished 
by  this  department  may  be  used. 
Painting  the  number  on  the  radi- 
ator does  not  comply  with  the  law. 
The  use  of  fictitious  number 
plates,  or  number  plates  belong- 
ing to  another  motor  vehicle  or 

[63] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

one  issued  to  any  other  person  is 
punishable  by  a  fine  of  from 
$25.00  to  $300.00,  or  imprison- 
ment from  thirty  to  sixty  days,  or 
both.  In  case  of  loss  or  destruc- 
tion of  a  number  plate  a  duplicate 
will  be  furnished  within  a  period 
of  ten  days  for  a  fee  of  $1.00. 

All  applications  must  be  made 
upon  blanks  furnished  by  this  de- 
partment and  must  be  signed 
with  ink  by  the  applicant  in  per- 
son. These  blanks  may  be  ob- 
tained at  the  office  of  any  county 
clerk  or  from  any  registered  deal- 
er in  motor  vehicles.  The  num- 
bers are  issued  consecutively  in 
the  order  in  which  the  applica- 
tions are  received. 

A  list  of  registered  motor  ve- 
hicles with  the  names  and  ad- 
dresses of  the  owners,  is  fur- 

[64] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

nished  monthly  to  each  county 
clerk,  to  be  kept  as  a  public  rec- 
ord. 

All  certificates  of  registration 
expire  on  December  31st  of  the 
year  in  which  they  are  issued. 

Every  chauffeur  shall  file  an- 
nually an  application  for  regis- 
tration accompanied  by  a  fee  of 
$2.00.  The  department  furnish- 
es a  certificate  of  registration 
and  a  chauffeur's  badge  which 
must  be  worn  upon  the  clothing  in 
a  conspicuous  place  while  operat- 
ing any  motor  vehicle. 

All  testers,  repairmen  and  me- 
chanics in  the  employ  of  a  manu- 
facturer, dealer,  or  a  garage,  are 
required  to  register  as  chauffeurs. 
Any  chauffeur  permitting  an- 
other person  to  wear  his  badge 
is  subject  to  criminal  prosecution. 

[65] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

No  person  shall  drive  any  motor 
vehicle  in  the  absence  of  the  own- 
er without  such  owner's  written 
consent. 

Manufacturers  of  and  dealers 
in  motor  vehicles  shall  file  annu- 
ally an  application  for  the  regis- 
tration of  each  gasoline,  steam, 
electric  or  other  make  of  motor 
vehicles  and  pay  a  fee  of  $10.00 
for  the  registration  of  each  make 
(steam,  gasoline  or  electric)  of 
motor  vehicle.  Certified  copies  of 
registration  are  furnished  for  a 
fee  of  $2.00  each  and  one  dupli- 
cate set  of  number  plates  is  fur- 
nished with  each  certified  copy. 
If  the  manufacturer  or  dealer  is 
a  firm  or  corporation  the  applica- 
tion must  be  signed  by  someone 
authorized  to  represent  same. 

Every  motor  vehicle  must  be 
provided  with  adequate  brakes 

[66] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

and  a  suitable  bell,  horn  or  other 
device  for  signalling,  and  shall, 
during  the  period  from  thirty 
minutes  after  sunset  to  thirty 
minutes  before  sunrise  display 
three  white  lights,  two  on  the 
front  and  one  on  the  rear  of  each 
motor  vehicle,  the  rays  of  which 
rear  lamp  shall  shine  upon  and 
illuminate  each  and  every  part  of 
the  aforesaid  distinctive  number 
borne  upon  that  part  of  the  motor 
vehicle.  The  rays  of  the  front 
lights  shall  be  visible  at  least  two 
hundred  feet  in  the  direction  in 
which  the  motor  vehicle  is  pro- 
ceeding, and  every  motor  vehicle 
shall  also  display,  in  addition,  a 
red  light  on  the  rear. 

All  remittances  to  this  depart- 
ment must  be  made  by  certified 
check,  draft  or  post  office  money 

[67] 


Modern  Motoring 

order.    Persons  remitting  in  cur- 
rency do  so  at  their  own  risk  un- 
less sent  by  registered  mail. 
Very  respectfully, 
CHARLES  H.  GRAVES, 

Secretary  of  State. 
J.  A.  SHEARER, 

Register  of  Automobiles. 


[68] 


CHAPTER  V. 


POPULARITY  OF  THE  MOTOR. 

The  open  car  in  summer  and 
the  limousine  in  winter  are  in- 
comparable for  shopping  and  the 
theater.  Your  mother  and  wife 
appreciate  and  make  much  use 
of  the  equipage  and  are  thereby 
saved  many  steps,  and,  especially 
in  winter,  exposure  to  inclement 
weather.  It  is  by  far  the  pleas- 
anter  to  be  driven,  so  that  one  can 
converse  and  get  in  and  out  in 
shopping.  Ladies  do  drive,  how- 
ever, to  a  considerable  extent, 
especially  suburban  driving, 
when  out  for  a  spin  or  visiting. 
The  electric  is  especially  a  favor- 
ite with  and  adapted  to  ladies 

[69] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

driving,  it  being  smooth-running, 
noiseless,  inclosed,  and  of  moder- 
ate speed.  The  sport  of  motor- 
ing, however,  does  not  enter  into 
the  interest  in  electrics  so  much 
as  into  the  gasoline  car,  utility 
and  moderate  transportation  be- 
ing the  attraction. 

The  limousine  is  preeminently 
the  ladies'  car,  and  is  equipped 
with  soft  cushions  and  arm  rests, 
shades,  toilet  case,  and  card  rack. 
It  takes  the  place  of  the  closed 
carriage  formerly  in  use,  only  it 
travels  faster  and  is  more  stylish. 

The  study  of  the  technical 
points,  while  to  those  interested 
is  sufficient  to  attract  attention, 
becomes  very  useful  to  and  much 
appreciated  by  the  ladies  of  the 
family.  The  motor  car  provides 
an  independent  line  of  travel 
ready  at  all  times.  The  house- 

[70] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

hold  is  made  complete  by  the  ac- 
quisition of  a  motor  car  and  is  a 
pleasure  to  all  who  learn  to  make 
use  of  it. 

To  drive  as  a  pastime  requires 
a  car  and  the  time,  and,  I  should 
add,  the  gasoline.  If  one  has  a 
car  and  drives  one  is  bound  to 
have  gasoline  and  lubricating  oil. 
Driving  is  a  pastime  so  long  as 
the  oil  and  gasoline  are  the  only 
essentials,  but  when  it  requires 
repairs  and  adjustments  the  ro- 
mance of  motoring  ceases,  at 
least  until  the  repair  is  over.  Un- 
til then  the  street  cars  again  look 
good.  There  are  cars  now  which 
to  drive  is  a  pleasure  and  pastime, 
in  as  much  as  there  are  no  repairs 
necessary,  no  adjustments  re- 
quired. I  think  the  principal 
thing  to  do  about  a  motor  car  is 
to  do  nothing.  If  the  car  is  not 

[71] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

right  when  it  comes  from  the 
dealer  it  never  will  be  right ;  thus 
to  do  anything  is  futile.  The 
promises  that  a  motor  will  work 
in ;  that  after  it  has  run  5,000  or 
10,000  miles  everything  will  be 
smooth,  are  subterfuges  and  put- 
offs  to  the  day  of  realization  of  the 
first  statement,  that  if  the  car  is 
not  right  when  it  leaves  the  fac- 
tory it  never  will  be  right.  Many 
drivers  have  not  had  any  engine 
phenomenon  to  diagnose  because 
they  were  fortunate  in  having 
first-class  cars.  However,  if  they 
would  have  had  any,  a  correct  di- 
agnosis would  have  given  a  rem- 
edy and  a  cure  result.  Some  cars 
can  only  be  cured  by  lengthy  re- 
pairs. This  should  not  occur  to 
a  new  car,  but  may  be  expected 
to  one  run  five  years  or  so.  If 
the  car  is  right  to  start  with  there 

[72] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

is  nothing  but  natural  wear  going 
to  operate  against  it.  This  one 
expects. 

A  thorough  test  of  materials 
which  go  into  the  engine  and  car, 
and  a  proper  tempering  of  them, 
are  in  a  great  measure  the  ele- 
ments of  manufacture  that  give 
lasting  satisfaction  to  the  buyer. 
There  is  truth  in  it,  and  where 
truth  is  there  is  reliability. 
Pleasure  and  pastime  is  derived 
first  by  having  the  car  you  like, 
then  taking  it  out  for  a  drive  over 
the  hills  through  the  country.  It 
is  the  same  fascination  that  car- 
ries all  the  toilers  of  the  city  out 
on  a  picnic  in  the  country.  The 
hills,  the  sky,  the  trees,  the  roads 
and  byways,  all  waiting  for  the 
hour  of  rest,  fragrant  with  the 
odor  of  wild  flowers.  It  is  a  means 
of  our  city  people  seeing  more  of 

[73] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

their  surrounding  lands  and  sub- 
urbs than  ever  before.  The  coun- 
try wayside  inns  cater  comfort- 
ably to  the  auto  parties  which 
seek  their  rural  haunts,  and 
chicken-dinners  for  motorists 
have  become  a  regular  bill  of  fare 
with  many  of  the  village  hotels. 
Gasoline  is*  everywhere. 

There  is  opposition  to  motor- 
ing. How  absurd!  It  is  based 
upon  the  general  antipathy  to 
that  which  is  improvement  and 
progress.  We  have  at  present 
various  kinds  of  automatic  ma- 
chinery, but  the  auto  is  the  most 
conspicuous  and  therefore  at- 
tracts the  most  comment.  There 
is  a  principle  of  psychology  that 
the  average  mind  can  not  appre- 
ciate or  comprehend  anything 
outside  the  influencing  idea  dom- 
inating the  mind  at  the  time, 

[74] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

and  that  it  is  only  the  superior 
intellect  that  can  rise  out  of  the 
dominating  and  nearby  influ- 
ences and  take  views  of  minds  not 
under  similar  influences.  Some 
can  not  view  outside  their  own 
surroundings  and  limitations. 
Broader  minds  are  more  sympa- 
thetic, and  can  see  from  another's 
point  of  view.  If  non-motorists 
would  place  themselves  in  the 
motorist's  position,  even  mentally, 
some  of  the  misunderstandings 
regarding  motor  cars  and  their 
care,  operation  and  maintenance 
would  be  more  generally  under- 
stood. It  is  not  necessary  that  a 
motor  car  owner  be  a  multimil- 
lionaire, nor  is  he  to  be  expected 
to  be  presuming  that  he  is  one. 
It  is  his  interest  in  motors  that 
has  led  him  to  buy  one.  Why 
should  he  be  presumed  to  have 

[75] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

committed  a  misdemeanor.  There 
is  a  list  compiled  by  a  well-known 
writer*  of  men  to  avoid  such  as: 

Avoid  him  who  vilifies  his  benefactor. 
Avoid  him  who  is  honest  only  for 
policy's  sake,  etc. 

I  will  add  to  this  list, 

Avoid  him  who  slanders  his  neighbor 

for  buying  a  car, 
Especially  if  he  afterwards  buys  one 

himself. 

To  maintain  a  car  in  proper 
condition  requires  more  work 
than  money.  It  requires  indus- 
try. 

Some  there  are  who  may  not 
believe  this  statement,  but,  believe 
me,  work  and  industry  on  your 
car  will  do  more  for  the  rich  ap- 
pearance which  it  presents  than 

"Henry   Clews   in   "Wall    Street   Point   of 
View." 

[76] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

all  the  mere  money  can  ever  pos- 
sibly do. 

Aside  from  motor  shows,  which 
occupy  the  automobile  people  dur- 
ing the  winter  and  the  tours  and 
races  which  take  place  in  the  sum- 
mer time,  there  is  all  the  inde- 
pendent touring  and  driving  of 
the  automobile  owners.  A  drive 
through  our  suburbs  shows  the 
growth  of  the  use  of  the  motor. 
Old  stables  transformed  into  gar- 
ages, also  the  commercial  stor- 
age-service garages  of  our  motor- 
car companies,  indicate  the  ex- 
tended use  of  the  auto.  Gasoline 
is  the  motive  power  of  the  day. 

Autos  have  brought  with  them 
the  toggery  and  style  in  clothing 
and  motor  language,  both  of 
which  are  already  widely  diffus- 
ed. Motor  clothing  is  particu- 
larly comfortable,  and  runs  all 

[77] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

the  way  from  heavy  ulsters  of  fur 
for  the  winter  to  silkoline  dusters 
for  summer.  If  one  goes  to  New 
York  in  January,  one  of  the  many 
reasons  may  be  to  see  the  motor- 
car show,  which  is  as  much  a  so- 
ciety event  as  any  other  event  in 
Gotham.  If  you  were  given  a 
ticket  to  the  New  York  Auto 
Show,  would  you  go?  It  depends 
on  how  much  you  are  interested 
in  motor  cars. 

The  controversy  over  the  so- 
called  silent  so-and-so  and  the 
noiseless  what-you-call-it  is  al- 
ways on.  All  motor  cars  are  be- 
coming noiseless  and  silent  in 
their  operation,  and  although  the 
motor  is  noisy  if  allowed  to  ex- 
haust into  the  air  direct,  the  muf- 
fler takes  care  of  the  noise  and 
silences  it.  It  is  generally  the 
balance  of  the  car  and  not  the 

[78] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

motor  that  produces  the  noise. 
The  engine  in  high  is  always  si- 
lent. In  second  or  intermediate 
there  is  the  noise  of  the  gears, 
but  it  is  not  engine  noise.  Fine 
workmanship  and  design  on  the 
gears  makes  them  noiseless.  The 
puf-puf-puf,  however,  is  not  by 
any  means  as  disagreeable  as  the 
flip-flop  of  some  carburetor  shut- 
ter valve.  Where  the  sound  is  a 
quiet  purr,  indicating  constant 
intake  and  exhaust,  but  no  metal- 
lic sound  whatever,  you  have  per- 
fection of  adjustment  as  it  is  to- 
day known. 

The  popularity  of  the  sport  is 
based  upon  more  far-reaching 
fundamental  ideas  than  fancy. 
The  auto  appeals  to  the  economy 
in  transportation,  rapidity  of 
travel  between  different  parts  of 
town  and  home,  independence  of 

[79] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

street  cars,  a  car  line  of  your  own, 
household  conveyance,  and  carry- 
all. It  appeals  to  the  mechanical 
interest  of  the  people  who  love  to 
see  machinery  in  operation.  The 
same  interest  that  takes  visitors 
to  the  machinery-rooms  of  pump- 
ing stations  and  electric-light 
plants  attracts  minds  to  the  gaso- 
line engine.  Those  who  predict 
that  the  auto  will  fade  away  must 
be  classed  with  those  who  do  not 
believe  in  progress  of  any  kind, 
and  prefer  to  let  others  do  what 
is  termed  experimenting.  There 
is  a  contingent  who,  although  they 
believe  the  auto  is  a  good  and 
practical  thing,  are  waiting  for 
a  later  period  to  buy  one.  Another 
contingent  wonder  where  a  man 
gets  the  price  of  gasoline,  it  being 
so  well  circulated  nowadays  that 
oil  is  such  an  expensive  article 

[80] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

and  such  large  dividends  are  paid 
by  the  companies  that  furnish  it. 
The  price  of  gasoline  is  eleven  to 
sixteen  cents  per  gallon,  accord- 
ing to  grade.  In  another  chapter 
I  have  explained  the  various 
grades  of  gasoline  used  in  motors. 
Inasmuch  as  the  average  car  runs 
eight  to  twelve  miles  per  gallon 
of  gasoline,  you  can  calculate 
how  much  a  car  will  use.  There 
is  more  utility  in  ten  cents  spent 
in  gasoline  than  the  same  amount 
spent  in  other  fluids  that  are  sold 
in  small  measures.  The  cost  of 
automobiling  is  no  hindrance  to 
those  who  motor,  but  seems  to  be 
an  almighty  argument  for  those 
who  do  not  own  one. 

The  Automobile  Blue  Book  is 
the  most  complete  guide  of  Amer- 
ican roads  ever  compiled.  All  of 
the  United  States  and  Canada  has 

[81] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

been  traveled  and  the  Blue  Books 
state  autometer  distance,  condi- 
tion of  roads,  railroad  crossings, 
fording  of  rivers,  garages,  and 
hotels.  While  the  four  volumes 
sell  for  five  dollars  per  volume, 
they  contain  information  that  is 
invaluable.  The  proverbial  "You 
can't  miss  it"  of  the  farmers  who 
direct  you  on  your  way  over  the 
road  is  obviated  by  the  Blue  Book 
as  it  has  such  full  information. 
Together  with  your  autometer 
you  know  exactly  where  you  are, 
as  does  a  mariner  who  reads  the 
stars  with  his  quadrant  and  plots 
the  course  of  his  ship  on  longitude 
and  latitude  lines. 

The  new  things  in  the  motor 
world  are  generally  sprung  at  the 
auto  shows  and  afterward  get  in- 
to the  supply  stores  and  garages. 
Motor  supplies  and  accessories 

[82] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

are  as  interesting  as  the  cars 
themselves  and  attract  their 
share  of  attention.  The  litera- 
ture of  motoring  has  been  main- 
tained by  several  journals  devot- 
ed exclusively  to  motor-car  news, 
and  all  magazines  and  news- 
papers contain  automobile  col- 
umns. 

Public  interest  centers  a  great 
deal  in  "how  long  will  a  tire  last?" 
This  is  a  near  relative  to  the  sup- 
posed high  price  of  gasoline. 
Punctures  do  not  occur  very 
often,  not  near  as  often  as  many 
people  would  imagine.  Two  or 
three  punctures  a  year  are  about 
all  average  running  will  produce, 
and  these  are  not  generally  due 
to  wear  of  the  tire.  Tacks  and 
nails  are  the  most  ordinary  causes 
for  punctures.  These  are  hard  to 
see  and  consequently  impossible 

[83] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

to  avoid.  After  the  mileage  is  up 
on  a  tire  it  is  generally  old  and 
worn  and  will  need  to  be  replaced. 
Punctures  are  repaired  for  fifty 
cents,  and  casings  last  two,  three 
and  four  years,  according  to 
wear.  Tires  last  a  long  time  and 
do  good  service.  Four  to  five- 
inch  tires  are  generally  used. 

The  number  of  prominent  peo- 
ple who  have  become  interested  in 
motoring  demonstrates  the  draw- 
ing interest  in  the  motor  car  and 
shows  the  good  qualities  it  appeals 
to.  The  motor  car  appeals  to  in- 
telligence —  not  to  mere  wealth. 

Although  the  number  of  motors 
running  has  greatly  increased  in 
the  past  few  years  there  are  nu- 
merous people,  even  at  the  present 
time,  who  have  not  learned  the 
valuable  accomplishment  of  auto- 
driving.  Those  who  are  anxious 

[84] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

to  know  will  appreciate  the  fore- 
going monograph  of  the  subject 
in  its  present  simplified  form. 

Some  people  still  cling  to  the 
idea  that  the  auto  is  a  joy-ride 
vehicle,  but  this  old-fashioned  no- 
tion is  gradually  subsiding,  and 
the  use  of  the  motor  to  such  quasi- 
delectable  ends  in  practiced  only 
by  a  character  of  people  we  need 
not  mention. 

Our  citizens  are  more  and  more 
every  year  showing  their  interest 
in  this  modern  method  of  locomo- 
tion and  attest  same  by  invest- 
ment in  some  one  or  other  of  the 
various  makes  of  motor  cars  on 
the  market.  Even  those  who  have 
strenuously  opposed  the  purchase 
of  a  car  afterward  come  out  with 
one.  In  fact,  the  avowed  opposi- 
tion to  the  motor  is,  very  often,  a 

[85] 


Modern  Motoring,  or 

stage,  or  degree,  of  being  won  to 
its  favor. 

The  story  goes  that  a  certain 
chauffeur  left  his  car  in  front  of  a 
store  with  the  engine  running, 
and  when  he  came  out  he  found 
the  car  moving  away.  He  dis- 
covered that  the  mechanism  had 
started  with  the  engine  and  the 
car  had  moved  away  all  by  itself. 
Such  yarns  as  these  both  repel 
and  attract  the  public;  repel,  in 
that  they  upset  confidence  in  the 
motor;  attract,  in  that  further 
inquiry  into  the  mechanism  of  the 
car  develops  an  interesting  study 
of  what  curiosity  alone  was  the 
first  attraction.  This  study  of  the 
motor  car  makes  for  better  under- 
standing of  the  vast  amount  of 
work  that  has  been  accomplished 
in  this  field  of  endeavor.  That  a 
car  move  away  by  itself  is  as  true 

[86] 


The  Age  of  Gasoline 

as  that  a  carriage  could  hitch  up 
the  horse  and  drive  away.  There 
is  nothing  as  yet  that  is  to  an  auto 
what  a  pianola  is  to  a  piano. 
There  is  no  automatic  driving 
machine  or  automaton.  How- 
ever, driving  is  so  simple  that 
without  all  the  theoretical  knowl- 
edge of  the  mechanism  of  a  car, 
one  can  accomplish  a  great  deal, 
much  as  one,  with  the  pianola  in- 
tervened, accomplishes  with  a 
piano.  Foolproof  means  brains 
supplied.  This  is  found  in  the 
modern  motor,  although  a  certain 
amount  of  gray  matter  will  be 
found  necessary  to  operate  the 
stops  and  levers. 

As  said  elsewhere  in  these 
pages,  giving  the  manufacturers 
due  credit  for  the  amount  of 
brains  supplied  with  the  car,  the 
more  accomplished  the  driver,  the 

[87] 


Modern  Motoring 

more  educated  his  understanding 
of  the  principles  of  the  motor  car, 
the  better  and  finer  are  the  results 
obtained  in  driving. 

This  article  is  by  no  means  to 
be  considered  a  "probe"  of  the 
subject,  but  merely  a  brochure, 
thesis,  or  monograph,  of  a  few  of 
the  many  interesting  phases  of 
"Modern  Motoring." 


[88] 


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